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"Curar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to cure", and "trabajar" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to work". Learn more about the difference between "curar" and "trabajar" below.
curar(
koo
-
rahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (medicine)
a. to cure
El oncólogo no pudo curar el cáncer que tenía.The oncologist couldn't cure the cancer she had.
d. to dress (with a bandage)
Curó el corte que tenía en el dedo con una venda.She dressed the wound that he had on his finger with a bandage.
2. (culinary)
a. to cure
Aprendí a curar jamón cuando vivía en La Mancha.I learned how to cure ham when I was living in La Mancha.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
4. (medicine)
a. to get better
Me alegra verte recuperado; pensé que nunca curarías.I'm glad to see you up and about; I thought you weren't going to get better.
b. to recover
Ya ha curado, pero aún no ha vuelto al trabajo.She's recovered now, but still hasn't gone back to work.
curarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
5. (medicine)
a. to get better
Espero que tu hermano se cure pronto. Estamos todos rezando por él.I hope your brother gets better soon. We're all praying for him.
b. to recover
Una vez que se cure de la torcedura de tobillo, podrá volver a jugar fútbol.Once he recovers from the ankle sprain, he'll be able to go back to playing soccer.
6. (to get intoxicated) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. to get drunk
Salió para curarse con sus amigos tras romper con su novia.He went out to get drunk with his friends after breaking up with his girlfriend.
trabajar(
trah
-
bah
-
hahr
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
3. (to shape)
a. to work
Como alfarero, me encanta trabajar el barro y crear cacharros.As a potter, I just love working the clay and making pots.
a. to work
En este pueblo todavía trabajan la tierra con bueyes.They still use oxen to work the land in this village.
5. (culinary)
b. to mix (ingredients)
Hay que trabajar los ingredientes con una batidora eléctrica.You need to mix the ingredients with a blender.
6. (to improve)
7. (to market)
trabajarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to work on
Todavía me la estoy trabajando para que pruebe a jugar al fútbol.I'm still working on her to try soccer.
